Frequently-asked questions about LSSE

Below are some commonly asked questions, with answers, regarding the scheme.

The project is commonly referred to as 'Leeds Station Southern Entrance' or 'LSSE'.

Q. What is the LSSE Project?

A. The Leeds Station Southern Entrance project (LSSE) will provide a new fully accessible pedestrian entrance which will greatly improve pedestrian access between Leeds city rail station and the south parts of Leeds City centre.

Q. Who is Promoting the LSSE Project?

A. Metro and Network Rail (the ‘Promoters’) are working in partnership to deliver the LSSE project. In addition to Promoter funding contributions, capital funding has been granted from the Department for Transport and Leeds City Council.

Q. Why is LSSE being developed?

A.The area to the south of the station has seen substantial growth and regeneration over the past 10 years, creating demand for a new pedestrian entrance. LSSE will give the people who live, work and socialise in the south of the city a direct link to the station, without the need to loop round to one of the existing northern entrances via Neville Street. In addition to this journey time benefit, LSSE will also relieve congestion within the station by diverting an estimated 20% of rail passengers through the new entrance.

Q. Where will it be located?

A. The entrance will take pedestrians from an extension to the western footbridge in Leeds Station (above platform 15, 16 and 17) to either side of the River Aire at ground level.

Access and egress from the new entrance will be well signed, safe and provide a secure route to and from the station.

Q. Will there be direct access from platforms 16 and 17 into LSSE?

A. There will be no direct access from the new entrance onto platforms 16 and 17. Access to these platforms will continue to be via the stairs, escalator and lift on the western footbridge.

Q. How many people are expected to use LSSE?

A. We anticipate that approximately 20% of Leeds rail station passengers a day will use the new southern entrance.

Q. What facilities will be provided?

A. The facilities will include:

Escalators;

lifts;

Stairway;

CCTV;

Public address system

Ticket barriers and

Ticket vending machines.

Q. Will cycling facilities be provided?

A. Cycle storage facilities will be provided as part of the LSSE scheme. The details of the facilities will be agreed at the detailed design stage of the scheme.

Q. Will pedestrian facilities be enhanced as part of the scheme?

A. Metro and Network Rail, in consultation with Leeds City Council, are proposing that the scheme includes urban realm enhancements on Little Neville Street behind the Hilton Hotel and Blue Apartments.

Q. Will two escalators be sufficient for the number of passengers using LSSE?

A. Detailed pedestrian flow modelling has been undertaken to demonstrate that the provision of one-up and one-down escalator will provide sufficient capacity to cope with future demand. The modelling which has been undertaken for the project forecasts predicted passenger usage of the new entrance up to 2029 to fit in with Network Rail's ‘Rail Utilisation Strategy’.

The new entrance also encompasses stairs and lifts.

Q. Does LSSE have drop-off / pick-up facilities?

A. LSSE is a pedestrian entrance and therefore does not include a drop-off / pick-up facility in the immediate vicinity.Passengers will continue to be dropped-off / picked-up on Aire Street and Princes Square (i.e. at the current facility).

Q. How much will it cost?

A. The £17.4m scheme has secured £12.4m from the Department for Transport as well as funding from West Yorkshire's Local Transport Plan, Network Rail and Leeds City Council.

Q. When will construction of LSSE begin?

A. Site mobilisation began in December 2013 and construction started in January 2014

Q. When will LSSE be open?

A. It is envisaged that LSSE will be open in summer 2015.

Q. What is a Transport and Works Act Order?

A. The Transport and Works Act (TWA) 1992 provides the means for authorising guided transport schemes and certain types of infrastructure projects in England and Wales.

TWA Orders are granted by the Secretary of State for Transport. The TWA process is designed so that the views of all stakeholders can be properly taken into account before the Secretary of State for Transport makes a decision. Stakeholders are any individual or organisation who may be affected by the proposed scheme. They include local authorities, affected land and property owners, local residents, local businesses and voluntary or statutory bodies with relevant functions or interests such as the environment or heritage.

The Leeds Station Southern Entrance Order was submitted in May 2012 and a Public Inquiry was held in November and December 2012. Following the Inquiry, the Inspector produced a detailed report outlining his recommendations. Subsequently, the Secretary of State for Transport approved the Order in July 2013.

Q. Will there be access through the station for non-rail passengers from the north to the south or vice versa?

A. No - Leeds rail station is a gated 'closed' station and as such only passengers with a valid rail product (e.g. ticket/season ticket) are allowed to enter orexit the station.Network Rail and Train Operators install ticket gates to reduce fare evasion/ticketless travel, anti-social behaviour and increase security.

The LSSE scheme includes for a new gate line on the extended western footbridge which will ensure that the station remains a 'closed station'.